Calf Diarrhea Caused by Bovine Rotavirus Infection in Kagoshima Prefecture

Abstract

On a pasture in the southern part of Kagoshima Prefecture 10 calves 6-33 days old were affected with diarrhea. A virus was isolated from the feces of three of these calves. It was identified as bovine rotavirus (BRV) by electron microscopy and the fluorescent antibody technique. Antibody against BRV (Lincoln strain) showed a significant increase in titer one month after the onset of diarrhea. The colibacillary colony count increased to 10⁸-40⁹/g in the diarrheal feces, suggesting a secondary participation of colibacilli in the etiology of the diarrhea.